Barrel Runner Slated to Join Founders Brewing Co.’s Barrel-Aged Series in June

Posted on by mashingin

Barrel_Runner_12oz_bottleFounders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) recently provided a little teaser to inform fans that Barrel Runner Rum Barrel-aged Imperial IPA will officially release in June as the fourth offering in the brewery’s 2018 Barrel-Aged Series.

Proving that “inspiration . . . for barrel-aged beers can come from the most unexpected places”, Barrel Runner began life as a Mosaic-hopped Imperial India Pale Ale and was then aged in select rum barrels.  The sweet and spicy barrel character melds with those fruity hops to produce a “sweet and hoppy, rich and bright” offering that “will make you believe you’re in the tropics.”

“I drink tiki cocktails probably more than I should and looked to them for inspiration when creating Barrel Runer,” said Brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki. “You get a lot of bright, tropical character from the abundance of Mosaic hops plus a nice kick of oak and rum from the barrels. Add a tiny umbrella and you got yourself a beer perfect for enjoying poolside.”

Preceded by the upcoming releases of KBS (March 30), Backwoods Bastard (available Year-Round beginning in April) and Dankwood (April), Barrel Runner will arrive as the year’s fourth release in the brewery’s Barrel-Aged Series.  Two yet-to-be-named offerings will follow Barrel Runner to complete the 2018 Barrel-Aged Series lineup.

Barrel Runner will officially release in June and has plans to hang around through August or as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles (SRP $14.99), 750ml bottles (SRP $11.99) and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Barrel Runner from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Barrel-Aged Series, June – August 2018
Style – Imperial India Pale Ale
ABV – 11.1%
Featured Hops – Mosaic 
Treatment – Aged in rum barrels
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://foundersbrewing.com/beer/find-our-beer/

Founders Brewing Co. Introduces Solid Gold Premium Lager

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2018_SolidGold_FeaturedFounders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) has announced that Solid Gold Premium Lager, the brewery’s newest Year-Round offering, will officially release on March 1.

Arriving as a revamped take on a Founders taproom classic by the same name, Solid Gold is a beautiful non-filtered, golden Lager that has been created especially “for sessionable drinking.”  A recipe featuring lager yeast, corn and lemondrop hops yields a refreshing Solid Gold (4.4% ABV) that is meant to “appeal to classic lager drinkers but adds a craft character, to balance natural sweetness with a touch of citrus.”

“We built Founders on an attitude of no regrets,” shares Mike Stevens, Co-Founder and CEO of Founders. “An attitude of taking risks to bring the best beer possible to our fellow renegades and rebels. Never brewing to style, but always brewing what we want to drink. Our take on a classic, Solid Gold is a drinkable golden lager brewed with the highest quality ingredients. Challenging what a lager can be? That’s something we won’t regret.”

Solid Gold will launch exclusively in cans – the first Founders Year-Round release to do so – on March 1.  You can expect to find this new Year-Round available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans (suggested retail price of $7.99), 15-packs of 12 oz. cans (suggested retail price of $14.99) and on draft at craft beer friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s distribution network.  Prost!

Vital Information for Solid Gold Premium Lager from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Year-Round, launching March 2018
Style – Lager
ABV – 4.4%
IBUs – 20
Featured Hops – Lemondrop 
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 15-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://foundersbrewing.com/beer/find-our-beer/

Founders Brewing Plans to Add Dankwood to Barrel-Aged Series

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dankwood_750ml_bottle_web-002Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) has officially announced that Dankwood will arrive in April as the third release in the 2018 Barrel-Aged Series.

What some may recognize as the taproom exclusive, barrel-aged version of the recently retired reDANKulous, Dankwood is a “big, bold” Imperial Red India Pale Ale that has been aged in oak Bourbon barrels.  The time spent in the barrels pulls out the “rich caramel notes . . . from the depths of the IPA, highlighting strong malt character while the bourbon barrel-aging develops the complexity.”  The finished Dankwood (12.2% ABV, 65 IBUs) emerges as a “dank, sticky and slightly sweet sipper” that is meant to be “the perfect alchemy of wood and hops.”

Preceded by KBS (March) and Backwoods Bastard (Year-Round beginning in April), Dankwood will arrive as the third installment in the brewery’s 2018 Barrel-Aged Series.  Three yet-to-be-named Barrel-Aged Series offerings will follow Dankwood, and they will be announced later in the year.

Dankwood will make its official debut on April 2 and enter full distribution later that month.  This Barrel-Aged Series offering will be available through June 2018 (or as long as supplies last) in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles (suggested retail price of $14.99), 750ml bottles (suggested retail price of $11.99) and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s distribution footprint.

The folks at Founders Brewing promise that more information on Dankwood will be made available soon, and we will be sure to update this post with that info just as soon as we have it.  Stay tuned. Prost!

Vital Information for Dankwood from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Barrel-Aged Series, launching April 2018
Style – Imperial Red India Pale Ale
ABV –  12.2%
IBUs – 65
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://foundersbrewing.com/beer/find-our-beer/

Founders Brewing Co. Prepares for KBS Week 2018, National Release

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KBSWeek2018Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) has announced that the 2018 release of KBS will officially begin with KBS Week  events held in Grand Rapids and Detroit from March 5 – 10.  National distribution of KBS will follow on March 30.

Known as one of the most sought-after barrel-aged craft beers in the country, KBS is an 11.8% ABV Imperial Stout “brewed with massive amounts of coffee and chocolate before aging in oak bourbon barrels in caves beneath Grand Rapids and at an offsite barrel-aging facility.” Always released in limited supply as a part of Founders Brewing Co.’s Barrel-Aged Series, the first glasses of 2018 KBS will be poured in Grand Rapids and Detroit, Michigan during KBS Week 2018.

“When we started brewing KBS about 16 years ago, very few other breweries were doing anything like it,” said Co-Founder and President, Dave Engbers. “The first few packaged runs were difficult to get off of our hands as there wasn’t much interest in a bourbon barrel-aged coffee-chocolate imperial stout, which seems pretty crazy these days. It has since become a phenomenon and we are happy to celebrate its annual release with the people of Grand Rapids and now, for the first time ever, our loyal fans in Detroit. Here’s to continuing beloved traditions and starting new ones!”

KBS Week 2018 will officially kick off on March 5 and run through March 10 with tap events held in Grand Rapids and – for the first time ever – Detroit.  The schedule for KBS Week 2018 is as follows:

Grand Rapids

Detroit

KBS bottles will be first released through the following taproom pre-order system: “Bottles of KBS available for pickup in the [Founders Brewing Co.] Grand Rapids and Detroit taprooms will be released using a pre-ticketed reservation process via Ticketfly. Bottles can be reserved beginning on Friday, February 2, at 11 a.m. EST, and will be available for pickup March 6-11 from both taprooms.”  **We will update this post with the Ticketfly links for Grand Rapids and Detroit reservations once they go live.**

Distribution of KBS will follow the taproom pre-order and begin with the state of Michigan on March 12.  The remainder of Founders Brewing Co.’s 46 state distribution will see KBS on March 30.  Once fully released, you can look for KBS to be available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s distribution footprint.  Like always, you should expect supplies to be limited and the possibility that retailers will set per person limits.  With that said, we wish you nothing but good luck and happy hunting this KBS season.  Prost!

Vital Information for KBS from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Barrel-Aged Series: tappings begin March 5 – 10 at KBS Week 2018 events in Grand Rapids and Detroit; Michigan distribution starts March 12; and national distribution follows on March 30
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 11.8%
Added Ingredients – Coffee & chocolate
Treatment – Cave-aged in oak bourbon barrels for an entire year
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://foundersbrewing.com/beer/find-our-beer/

BA_KBS2017FeaturedNEW

Founders Brewing Co. Unveils Plans for 2018

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founderspour_editedAll set for next year, Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) has officially released a 2018 Availability Calendar that is absolutely loaded with new brews, old favorites, and updated packing options.

Just as we always do with all release calendars, Founders Brewing Co.’s full 2018 Availability Calendar is posted below for you to look over at your own pace.  Before we turn you loose, there are a few things on that calendar that we are just dying to point out . . . so let’s knock that out real fast:

  • Breakfast Stout and Backwoods Bastard will be available year-round in 2018.  Yeah, you read that correctly!  Breakfast Stout should seamlessly shift into year-round availability through the New Year while Backwoods Bastard will resurface in late-March to early-April to begin its year-round status.
  • Although the calendar does not mention this, Founders Brewing Co. will be offering Solid Gold, All Day IPA, Rubaeus and all of its Seasonal beers, which include Mosaic Promise, Azacca IPA and PC Pils, in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans in 2018.
  • Double Trouble Imperial IPA will return as a Limited Release in 2018.  It will be available from late-May to July in 4-packs of 12oz bottles across all 46 states that currently comprise the distribution area for Founders Brewing.
  • The Barrel-Aged Series will return in 2018 with KBS (April) and four new releases.  Details about the yet-to-be-named beers will be released throughout the year.
  • Founders is launching a “brand new taproom carryout series called the ‘Mothership Series’. These beers will range from classics like the inaugural release, Red’s Rye IPA, to experimental new styles. They will only be available for carryout in 6-pack bottles at [all Founders Brewing Co.] taproom locations.”
  • Finally . . . a bit of bad news: Founders will say “goodbye to some favorites, like Imperial Stout, Curmudgeon and reDANKulous” in 2018.  Since the brewery is known to regularly bring back old favorites (see Double Trouble & Red’s Rye IPA above), it assures that this is more of an “until we meet again” scenario.

Alright, that’s a wrap on all that we wanted to cover.  Be sure to check out the full calendar below so that you can properly prepare for an amazing 2018 with Founders Brewing Co. Prost!

2018-Availability-Calendar_2

 

Founders Brewing Co. Announces the Return of Canadian Breakfast Stout

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CBSlabelFounders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) has officially confirmed that CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout) will be released later this year as the sixth and final release in the 2017 Barrel-Aged Series.

Six years may have passed since the last time CBS was bottled, but Founders Brewing Co. is ready to once again treat the craft beer community to this highly sought-after Imperial Stout in December.  Starting with “the same base beer as KBS, an imperialized version of Breakfast Stout” that is loaded with coffee and chocolate, CBS gets its unique and alluring character after being aged in “bourbon barrels that had previously housed maple syrup.”  This treatment results in “what can only be described as a transcendental drinking experience” filled with notes of “rich maple syrup, roasted coffee and velvety chocolate.”

“Well, the rumors are true. CBS will make its long-awaited return this December,” said Co-Founder and President, Dave Engbers. “It would be irresponsible for us to not release CBS again. The beer enthusiasts who have supported our brands throughout the years are vocal and their message is heard loud and clear. We could not be happier to bring back this beloved beer… they speak, we listen.”

CBS will officially release on December 1 with availability in 750ml bottles (suggested retail price of $24.99 each) and on draft.  You can expect to find this limited release offering at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s distribution area.  Quantities will be extremely limited, and CBS is guaranteed to disappear with a quickness.  Be sure to stay tuned to this post as we will do our best to keep you up-to-date with any and all information as it is released. Prost!

 

 

Founders Brewing Co. Prepares for Annual Return of Backwoods Bastard

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unnamed (58)_editedFounders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) recently announced that Backwoods Bastard will officially return in mid-October as the next release in brewery’s Barrel-Aged Series.

Although this is the first year it is being released as a part of the brewery’s newly established Barrel-Aged Series, Backwoods Bastard returns as a well-respected veteran of the Founders Brewing Co. portfolio of limited releases.  This fan-favorite offering is a Scotch Ale that has been Bourbon barrel-aged so that it may evoke “lovely, warm smells of single malt scotch, oaky bourbon barrels, smoke, sweet caramel and roasted malts, a bit of earthy spice and a scintilla of dark fruit.”  Weighing in at an imposing 11.2% ABV, Backwoods Bastard is a slow-sipper that demands your respect.

This year’s batch of Backwoods Bastard will officially release in mid-October and be available while supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles (new this year) and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s distribution network.  Prost!

Vital Information for Backwoods Bastard from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Barrel-Aged Series, mid-October 2017
Style – Scotch Ale
ABV – 11.2%
IBUs – 50
Treatment – Aged in oak Bourbon barrels
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://foundersbrewing.com/find-our-beer/

 

Breakfast Stout Returns as Fall Seasonal for Founders Brewing Co.

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BreakfastStout2017FeatureFounders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) announced today that this year’s batch of Breakfast Stout is officially hitting distribution now.

Now considered to be “one of the top stouts in the world”, Breakfast Stout was originally conceptualized over a decade ago when Dave Engbers, co-founder of Founders Brewing Co., washed down a chocolate-covered espresso bean with a Founders Porter.  That experience inspired him to develop what later became “a proprietary process to combine two types of imported chocolate, oats and a Colombian and Sumatra blend from Grand Rapids artisanal roaster, Ferris Coffee and Nut.”  This combination yields an 8.3% ABV Breakfast Stout that is truly “the coffee lover’s consummate beer.”

Breakfast Stout is available now and will hanging around through December.  You can expect to find this fan-favorite Seasonal release available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles (suggested retail price of $10.99) and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Breakfast Stout from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Seasonal/Specialty, September to December 2017
Style – American Stout
ABV – 8.3%
IBUs – 60
Featured Ingredients –  Two types of imported chocolate, oats & a Colombian and Sumatra blend from Ferris Coffee and Nut
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://foundersbrewing.com/find-our-beer/

Founders Brewing Co.’s Mosaic Promise IPA Makes Seasonal Return, Now in Cans

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image002Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) recently announced that Mosaic Promise IPA has officially returned as a Seasonal release, and this time it is available in 15-packs of 12 oz. cans.

Originally released in 2014 as the second installment in Founders Brewing Co.’s ArtPrize Series, Mosaic Promise IPA has since established itself as one of the brewery’s most beloved Seasonal offerings.  Developed as a SMaSH ([S]ingle [M]alt [a]nd [S]ingle [H]op) beer, Mosaic Promise IPA is brewed with only Golden Promise malt and Mosaic hops, “giving it juicy mango and earthy pine flavors with powerful aromas.”  Weighing in at 5.5% ABV and 50 IBUs, this “extremely drinkable offering” proves “that there is . . . beauty in simplicity.”

Mosaic Promise IPA is available now and will be on shelves and taps through November of 2017.  You can find this Seasonal brew available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 15-packs of 12 oz. cans (new this year) and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Mosaic Promise IPA from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Seasonal, August through November 2017
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 50
Featured Hop – Mosaic
Featured Malt – Golden Promise
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 15-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder- https://foundersbrewing.com/find-our-beer/
Fun Fact – “The original artwork of the Mosaic label is inspired by a stained glass window on permanent display in the Founders taproom.”

Green Zebra Gose to be Next Release in Founders Brewing Co.’s ArtPrize Series

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Green_Zebra_2017_Beer_Page_editedFounders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) has announced that Green Zebra, a Gose-style Ale brewed with watermelon and sea salt, will arrive in August as the latest offering to come out of the brewery’s ArtPrize Series.

For five years now, Founders Brewing Co. has been adding to a series of Limited Release beers brewed to benefit ArtPrize, an open international art competition which takes place each fall in the brewery’s hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  This year’s artful creation will be Green Zebra, a 4.6% ABV Gose-style Ale that highlights the satisfyingly refreshing flavor and aroma of watermelon while still honoring stylistic tradition by using sea salt to achieve a dry finish.

“ArtPrize is one of the most well-attended public art events in the world, and we are proud to continue our support,” said Co-Founder and President, Dave Engbers. “We love playing with expectations when it comes to brewing our ArtPrize beers and Green Zebra is the perfect example of that. The gose style is very unique and pretty unknown, even amongst craft beer drinkers, and we wanted to bring our version of it to a larger audience. For the first time ever, our ArtPrize beer will be available across our entire distribution network so even more of our fans can get to know this style we’ve fallen in love with.”

Green Zebra now joins Pale Joe, Spectra Trifecta, Mosaic Promise and Inspired Artist Black IPA to comprise the full-lineup of ArtPrize Series offerings. In keeping with a tradition that began with the releases of Spectra Trifecta and Pale Joe, the label artwork for Green Zebra “is an original work of art designed by a member of the Founders team.”  Jacob Wiseheart from the Founders taproom crew earned this honor by creating a piece that displays a “striking and intense use of color and dimension, perfectly suited to the lively, bright nature of the beer.”

Arriving as the first ArtPrize Series offering to debut in cans, Green Zebra will be available exclusively in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans for the suggested retail price of $9.99. Proceeds from the sale of Green Zebra go towards the sponsorship of ArtPrize.  This Limited Release offering will hit distribution by late-August, and you can expect to find it at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s 46 state distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Green Zebra from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/ArtPrize Series. Launching in the Founders Brewing Co. taproom on August 15, 2017; full distribution expected by the end of August
Style – Gose
ABV – 4.6%
IBUs – 10
Added Ingredients – Watermelon & sea salt
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans
Beer Finder – https://foundersbrewing.com/find-our-beer/